The free fall by Nigerian athletes at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics notwithstanding, Sports Minister, John Owen Enoh, is still hopeful the nation will not return home empty handed.
Prior to the start of track and field event, Team Nigeria had only one win recorded in 14 matches, which came from the women basketball over Australia.
To change the situation, the Sports Minister has issued a rallying charge to Nigerian athletes, urging them to ‘fight till the very end’ for every top spot possible, just as he encouraged them to showcase their talent and determination in true spirit of Nigerian sportsmanship.
Senator Enoh emphasised the importance of resilience and determination as the athletes compete in these crucial events.
“Our athletes have trained tirelessly and are now on the cusp of making history. I encourage each of them to give their all, to fight for every position and to showcase the true spirit of Nigerian sportsmanship,” he stated.
Enoh also expressed confidence in the athletes’ abilities to deliver the medal going by the support they have received.
“We are proud of every athlete representing Nigeria. You carry the hopes and dreams of our nation, and we stand behind you as you strive for excellence. Let the world see the strength and resilience of Nigeria,” he added.
Nigerian athletes began on a losing side in track and field events on Friday, with the nation’s hope of having the first woman to qualify for the final of the high jump event faded early at the Stade de France. High jumper, Temitope Adeshina, neither cleared the 1.97m qualification mark set for the event nor finished among the top 12 that proceeded to the final.
Adeshina, who set a 1.97m Nigerian record in the event just under two months ago, could not fly past 1.92m after managing to clear 1.88m on her second attempt and finished 19th in the final classification.
She has joined Doreen Amata as the two Nigerians who have competed in the event, and who failed to clear heights high enough to secure a place in the final. Amata made three attempts (2008, 2012 and 2016) but was unable to replicate what she did at the World Championships level, where she made it to the final of the event in 2011 in Daegu, South Korea.
Before Adeshina’s failure on Friday, sprinter, Tima Godbless fell at the first hurdle in the 100m heat. Only Rosemary Chukwuma made it to the 100m semifinal.
Taekwondo bronze medallist at Beijing 2008 Olympics, Chika Chukwumerije, told sportsnow.com that Team Nigeria has been involved in 14 games/matches across six sports including: Women Football, Women Basketball, Table Tennis, Badminton, Swimming and Boxing.
According to him, Team Nigeria’s campaign has ended in some of the events and others who are still in contention.
In football, three group games losses to Brazil, Spain and Japan ensured the Super Falcons exited the Games at the group phase for the third time in four appearances.
In Table Tennis, the quartet of Aruna Quadri, Olajide Omotayo, Offiong Edem and Fatimo Bello lost their first matches in the round of 64 to Romania, Iran, Brazil and France respectively and ended their participation.
The same scenario played out in the Badminton, where Team Captain Anuoluwapo Opeyori lost his two group matches to Switzerland and China.
Also in Boxing, the story was the same as Olaitan Adam Olaore lost 0-5 to Kazakstan, with all five judges scoring in favour of the Kazakstan opponent. His female team mate, Cynthia Ogunsemilore, was disqualified due to an anti-doping rule violation.
In swimming, Tobi Sijuade did not make the qualifying time to go to the semi-finals. 16-year-old Nwandu Adaku will be competing in the Women’s 50m Freestyle today (Saturday) as the last Nigeria swimmer on the cards.
Adaku is the youngest member of Team Nigeria to the Paris 2024 Olympics and is participating in her first Olympics.
